High school track and field: State meet sights and sounds

Maribeth Joeright/MJoeright@News-Herald.com

Lorain's Jocelynn Rogers and Chardon's Stephanie Ferrante battle for fifth place in the Division I girls 200 meter dash during the state track and field championship meet in Columbus, June 7, 2014. Ferrante took fifth and Rogers took sixth.

“It was just kind of do or die. I didn’t know what place I was – I wasn’t counting. I was like, ‘It’s either podium or not. How do you want to finish this race?’ ” Berkshire’s Christin Dornback, on her late rally to take fifth in the Division III 800

“I’m proud of what the boys did. You take your hats off to Lima Central Catholic. It’s hard to beat those sprinters and long jumpers. They’re great.” Gilmour boys coach Jim Chappelle, on the Lancers taking second to Lima Central Catholic in the D-III state team title race

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“I felt really good at the start of the race. I knew that I could take it out hard and not just be completely dead for the second lap. If I gave myself enough of a lead not to get boxed in, I guess that plan sort of came through.” Gilmour’s Alex Clapacs, on his D-III state title in the 800

“I knew I had the height to do it. I just had to keep moving my hands, because they stalled a little bit on the first jump. I saw I was over it as I was coming down. I said, ‘You know what? I can do this.’ ” West Geauga’s Audrey Rabe, on clearing 12-3 on her second attempt in D-I pole vault to take third

5: Area records that fell in 2014, including Rabe’s pole vault standard

Ferrante file

Chardon senior Stephanie Ferrante completed one of the most well-rounded careers in recent area history June 7 at the Division I state track and field meet.

With her competing in the 200, Ferrante became the 11th area athlete and lone sprinter among that group since 1991 to qualify for state in an event four times.

Ferrante also made her third 100 state appearance, joining former Gilmour stalwarts Candace Longino-Thomas and Taylor Jackson as the only 100 runners in that time span to make it to state three times.

Cardinal speed

The Mentor boys 4x400 finished off area track and field season with a commendable fifth – but it came with some controversy. The Cardinals were a victim of bumping during the race, which cost Mentor placement as it took fifth with a still-outstanding 3:19.81.

“Under 3:20 is special,” Coach Bill Dennison said. “It’s that mark that everybody shoots for. Last year, we broke the (school) record for the first time – it was 30 years old – and we came back and beat it again this year. The boys said, ‘Coach, we want to go sub-3:20, but we want to be on that podium.’

“They felt aggressive. We looked at some tape and looked where we could make some improvements. It was unfortunate Darren got elbowed there, and it cost us third. But you’ve still got to be happy with a third-place performance.”

Olympian in the house

For the Division I 400, the boys and girls awards were handed out by former 400 world record holder, Ohio State legend and U.S. Olympian Butch Reynolds. Lake Catholic’s Frances Bull and Chardon’s Stephanie Ferrante received their medals from Reynolds.

Cap and gown

Geneva senior Hailey VanHoy, prior to the presentation of the girls 4x400 awards, was awarded her diploma after having to miss out on graduation June 7 to compete at state. It has become an annual custom at the state meet for a handful of athletes each year to receive their diplomas in a small ceremony in front of the awards stand.